no money for a week...voluntarily???

[jodi]

Ooohh, I like the excitement I see here. We can each tailor this challenge to our unique needs. For example, I might chose to exclude gas expenditures from my challenge due to the amount we drive each week (unavoidable in a rural setting - there is nothing that is close enough for us to walk to and no public transportation). Other people might have to exclude daily commute fees such as tolls, parking, etc.
I plan to cut out discretionary spending, such as entertainment, garage sales (ouch - but a waste of time, gas, and minor money), quick trips to the store, etc. I was actually considering starting Thursday, since I have one week left until payday and not a lot of cash. I don't want to have to dip into savings, so it would be a good time for me to try it out (not to mention short notice so I can't stock up too much and spend the money now). So I might not wait until next week to start, but I'll keep track of my progress on this forum and others can join in when they start.

[boefixepa]

Okay so if you want to go the 'surprise' route....let's start now!!!

[jodi]

Uhhh...how about tomorrow? I've got to pay some bills online tonight...

[boefixepa]

Okay, Updates to be posted on this thread here are my rules for me....Edit and add your rules for your choice of challenge and add them here.

1. No discretionary spending... (ie eating out, grocery shopping, entertainment, clothes etc...)
2. Back and forth to work only for driving....we have no 'bus' system here
3. Normal 'bills' are allowed as they come up...
4. No AC - this will be hard...grrr....heat wave in the west...
5. No stockup -- thus the surprise
6. No 'reward' spending or splugering when done what's the point if you save it and then spend it.
7. All money saved or 'left over' at the end of the month gets transfered to savings.
8. Time frame (for me for it to be 'hard') is two weeks.

So what's everyone else going to do...I'll keep you up to date....

[Roupey03]

I am in starting tommorrow one week the only thing I can purchase is enough to fill my tank.

[shengmei]

I give hubby all of the money. It is not worth it for me to fight over money at this point. Less money would be spent if there are uniform decisions.

[Bookie]

I'm definitely up for this, but the timing is a bit awkward. Most of my monthly bills fall due between the first and the fifth, and I don't think the explanation that I'm participating in a no-spend week would get much sympathy.

But I do want to play. I'm pretty sure I can borrow penguins from my neighbor in an emergency.

[boefixepa]

Bookie, you can make your own rules....allow yourself to pay your bills, but set the rules that are workable for you...

Can my dogs come over and play the penguins you borrowed...I'm sure it would be interested....think about the movie ... 8 below and seaguls ... hey less dog food for me..

[kashi]

This sounds intriguing. The only problems I forsee are plans already made far in advance with people (like this week's dinner and movie, and next week's dinner with people we rarely see) and no air conditioning. I think SO would probably be extraordinarily cranky without air conditioning in 95 degree weather.

Definitely going to roll it around in my head, though...I think we could do it, otherwise.

[Ima saver]

I think that is neat, set your own rules. If I started right now, I would starve to death. Nothing in my freezer except ice cream. I have some junk food, that is about all!

[boefixepa]

WOOHOO!! Welcome on board the challenge Kashi, just make your own rules!! That's what I love about this, tailor it to fit you! Just tweak so it's a little hard for you.

[Broken Arrow]

Oooh, upping the ante to not wait? Hmm. I still need to get gas, and fill up the pantry a bit. Otherwise, YOU'RE ON! That means I've got to get it these two things done tonight though....

Rush, rush.

But if I have to go steal the neighbor's lawn ornaments, it's not my fault!

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

If I started right now, I would starve to death. Nothing in my freezer except ice cream. I have some junk food, that is about all!

Back in college, that's all we had stocked in our fridge.

[boefixepa]

Ima,

How about a rule that for the week yout total tab must go down every time you go out and the starting tab is....let's say an average meal for the two of you. So if that's 35 dollars, make the next time you have to go out 30, then 25. So that for the week your average is lower and you saved money, but your hubby doesn't roll his eyes and shake his head too much.

[boefixepa]

Kashi,

I wish I had a SO to complain about the AC....course I'd make up for it keeping him warm when I keep the heat at 50 degrees in the winter so the dogs don't get hot......

[Ima saver]

Hey boe, that sounds good. I am going to have to keep the a/c for my dh too. He already complains that I keep it too warm in here!! It is easier to do this if you don't have to involve your spouse!

[kashi]

I agree, Ima! My SO always sneaks over and turns the a/c down when he thinks I'm not looking, to make it cooler in the house!

[boefixepa]

Yeah, not a problem for me...Like I said...whish I had someone to complain about the silly things I do to save like you do!

[Ima saver]

MY dh says he can't sleep at night if he is too hot. We use a fan, but I turn it down when we go to bed, 1 degree!! I don't think we should suffer from heat stroke or starvation, but the idea of not spending any money for a week is a good one.

[jaksilee]

Ok I'm in....My rules:
1. No extra spending, I have $40 for 2wks of groceries & $4 for laundry.
2. I will start today and run for 2 wks.
3. I will pay all the bills I was planning to pay.
4. I will buy NO BOOKS!